Boating paddle



June I; 1965 J. T. DECKER 3,186,011

BOATING PADDLE Filed Dec. 26, 1962 I NVEN TOR. Jamvfpzckfk United States Patent 3,186,011 BOATING PADDLE John T. Decker, 521 N. th St., Vincennes, Ind. Filed Dec. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 246,921 1 Claim. (Cl. 9--24) The present invention relates to a paddle of the type typically used in conjunction with boating, and more particularly to a new and novel boating paddle which provides strength and stability during use, and which, at the same time is light in weight.

-As is known, an important factor for effective canoeing, or for the maneuvering of certain types of boats, is a usable paddle, i.e. one which permits ready grasping, and the effective directing of the force required for movement, all without the concern of undue bending and/or breakage. Prior paddles comm-only in use do not have the aforesaid qualities, and, accordingly, prove objectionable for one or more of such reasons.

By virtue of the instant invention, the applicant herein has provided a new and novel boating paddle, describab-le as a spear rib paddle, which, because of its structural configuration, provides high factors of strength and stability, and, at the same time, is light in weight. The instant boating paddle is characterized by a raised rib disposed in the longitudinal direction of the paddle, i.e. in a generally parallel relationship to the larger or long axis of the paddle. The aforesaid characteristic rib provides a high degree of control during the use of the paddle, as well as the aforesaid desired strength and stability which were insuflicient in many prior paddle designs.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel boating paddle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel boating paddle characterized by .a raised rib centrally disposed on opposite surfaces of such paddle for providing a high factor of strength and stability during use.

A further and more general object ofthe present invention is to provide a new and novel boating paddle which may be readily manufactured from wood or like material for optimum lightness in weight, and which, at the same time, permits excellent maneuverability for the user.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view of a boating paddle in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the boating paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section, taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direct-ion of the arrows, showing further details of the instant boating paddle; and,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the complete paddle, i.e. including the handle, invented by the applicant.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normal- 1y occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, the applicants new and novel boating paddle 10 is typically made from wood or other light weight material, and the water engaging or COntacting portion 12 thereof is generally trapezoidal in plan view, as should be apparent from FIG. 1. In other words, the outer side edges 12a and 12b of the Water engaging portion 12 converge towards each other from the handle end of the paddle to the free end thereof, i.e. the part which would be deepest in water during use. Additionally, such free end 120 of the paddle 10 is straight, i.e. between the ends .of the outer side edges 12a and 12b, in contrast to prior paddles commonly in use which have curved ends.

In any event, the water engaging portion 12 of the paddle 10 has a defined rib '14 on each surface thereof, which rib 14 typically tapers so that all of its faces converge from the handle end 16 of the paddle 10 to the free end 12c thereof. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, although not critical in ultimate effect, the height of the rib 14 on each surface of the paddle is approximately the same along its over-all length.

It should be noted from the drawing that the rib 14 extends in the longitudinal direction of the paddle 10, with the center line thereof generally following the long axis of the paddle, i.e. the axis extending through the handle 16 and the water engaging or contacting portion 12 thereof.

In use, the applicants new and novel boating paddle 10 is grasped in the conventional manner, with its characteristic ribs 14 providing the important advantage of high strength, as Well as stability, while in use. In this latter connection, the ribs 14 tend to prevent any skidding of the paddle, in the instance, for example, of current flow in the lateral direction of the paddle. Additionally, the instant paddle perm-its a high degree of control during paddling thereby representing a further important advantage over the prior art devices.

The boating paddle described hereabove, is, of course, susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, the disclosed proportions should be considered illustrative, and changes may be made thereto. Thus, the preceding should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A boat-ing paddle of one-piece construction, comprising:

an elongated handle portion, and an elongated waterengagin-g member,

said member having oppositely disposed water-contacting surfaces defined by a generally trapezoidal periphery comprised of:

a first end adjacent said handle, a free end of lesser transverse dimension terminated by a straight edge substantially perpendicular to an extension of the longitudinal axis of said handle, and two side each beginning at said one end and gradually tapering toward said free end,

first and second non-separable ribs disposed oppositely and respectively along the longitudinal lengths of said surfaces in the plane of said longitudinally axis and having a combined first dimension transverse to said sur- 3 faces substantially equal to the diameter" of said handle, thrcughout the length of the WRKEI'CH- gaging member said ribs having sides spaced apant their greatest amount at said handle end and gradually eonverging at said free end.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/45 Reed 9-24 Bienert 924 Gagnon 924 Jackson 924 Ake 114221 X Bliven 924 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain. France.

10 FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner. 

